New York Jets Rookie Training Camp Progress Reports

New York Jets Rookie Training Camp Progress Reports

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Julie Jacobson/Associated Press

With a week-and-a-half of training camp in the books and the first preseason game just over a day away, it's time to check in on the progress of all New York's draft picks as well as one surprising undrafted free agent.

Which rookies have improved significantly and are on pace to be major contributors this upcoming season? Which ones are struggling to adjust to the NFL style of play and learn the playbook?

Click through to find out the answers to these questions for 13 of New York's rookies.

Calvin Pryor

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Uncredited/Associated Press

First-round pick Calvin Pryor was expected to immediately step in and be a leader in New York's inexperienced and shallow secondary.

Unfortunately, a concussion kept Pryor out for the majority of the first fortnight of training camp. He was finally cleared for contact earlier this week, according to Dom Consentino of NJ.com. However, Pryor admitted to Consentino that he feels "rusty."

The Louisville product's injury has been a huge blow to his development, as he's now weeks behind the rest of the team in terms of readiness and experience.

Hopefully, Pryor can come out next week and make up for the lost time and be ready to lead Gang Green's secondary in Week 1.

Jace Amaro

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Uncredited/Associated Press

Jace Amaro was one of the most productive tight ends in recent college football history, as he caught 106 passes and recorded an insane 1,352 receiving yards in his final season at Texas Tech.

However, Amaro has been slow to pick up the NFL game thus far.

According to Seth Walder of the New York Daily News, Amaro struggled to hang on to the ball in practice and in the team scrimmage, and he's having trouble picking up Gang Green's offensive scheme.

Walder did point out Amaro's fantastic work ethic, though, saying the 22-year-old is always one of the last players off the field after practice.

The Texas native has the talent to be one of New York's most important offensive players, but it may take him longer than expected to make an impact.

Dexter McDougle

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USA TODAY Sports

As much as Pryor's injury and Amaro's failure to learn the playbook have bothered the Jets coaching staff, they pale in comparison to McDougle's struggles thus far in training camp.

Not much has been said about McDougle from New York's camp in recent weeks, and all that can be classified as negative.

The Maryland product had to miss Saturday's team scrimmage and was limited in practice earlier this week with a groin injury, according to Dom Cosentino of NJ.com.

McDougle's play prior to the injury was also subpar. In fact, he was been so bad that defensive coordinator felt the need to publicly call out his need for improvement in the coming weeks, per Seth Walder of the New York Daily News.

The 23-year-old was always a long shot to win the No. 2 cornerback job opposite Dee Milliner, but those chances are now completely dead.

Unless McDougle improves significantly soon, he may not even see time in the slot in 2014.

Jalen Saunders and Shaq Evans

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Jalen Saunders and Shaq Evans were both taken in the fourth round this offseason, but that's where the similarities end.

Saunders is a speedy, small wideout who thrives in the slot, while Evans is a big possession receiver who lacks big-play ability.

Evans, on the other hand, struggled with drops throughout the first several practices before suffering a serious shoulder injury late last week. According to Eric Allen of NewYorkJets.com, the injury could cost the UCLA product his rookie year.

With Evans out of the picture, the Jets need Saunders to continue to make plays to sure up the depth chart at wide receiver.

Dakota Dozier and Jeremiah George

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Dakota Dozier was seen by many as a steal when the Jets took him in the fourth round of this offseason's draft.

A big, powerful offensive lineman with a future at guard in the NFL, Dozier has been one of New York's few rookies who have not just lived up to expectations, but surpassed them.

Dozier's strong play has led the team to put him as the backup right guard behind oft-injured Willie Colon. Don't be surprised if the Furman product ends up making an impact soon into his rookie season.

Not much has been said about Jeremiah George thus far in training camp, apart from his late hit on Tajh Boyd in Day 5 of practice, per The Star-Ledger's Darryl Slater.

George, an undersized linebacker with a great motor and terrific strength, was taken in the fifth round of the draft out of Iowa State.

The 23-year-old needs to immediately improve his game if he's going to have any chance of making the final roster.

Trevor Reilly and Kerry Hyder

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Trevor Reilly was the Jets' 12th and final selection in this offseason's draft, but he boasts one of the team's most interesting stories.

The linebacker will turn 27 at the end of this season, as he began college two years late after completing a mission for the Mormon Church.

While he was tremendous during his tenure at Utah, Reilly has just an outside shot of making the final roster, as he plays at one of New York's deepest and most talented positions, and he's already probably reached his full physical potential.

However, Reilly did do himself a favor in Saturday's scrimmage, as he raced through the offensive line for a sack, according to Craig Hoffman of the Jet Press.

Reilly needs to continue to make play after play if he's to surprise everyone and make the final roster.

Kerry Hyder had little to no hype around him entering training camp, as he went undrafted out of Texas Tech earlier in the offseason.

Nonetheless, the undersized defensive lineman has been one of camp's biggest surprises. He's managed to make an impact on several plays and win some battles in the trenches.